Is Josh Downs the best receiver in Carolina history?

No, he doesn’t hold many UNC football records because he is only in his second full-time season. As a true freshman in 2020, he played behind Dazz Newsome who is all over the record book for yards, receptions and touchdowns in four years.

Downs appeared in 10 games but only had seven catches for 119 yards and three touchdowns. All were memorable, however, and ticketed him for stardom. After his one reception in the opener against Syracuse was for one yard from Sam Howell, his first TD catch was for 17 yards in the 48-21 drubbing of N.C. State; and he also caught a pass in the 31-17 loss at home to Notre Dame before a COVID-controlled small crowd.

His breakout game was against Texas A&M in the Orange Bowl, when he took the snaps for Dyami Brown, who sat out to get ready for the NFL Draft. Downs set season highs with four receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns, one on a 75-yard catch-and-run conversion from Howell. That was enough to pencil Downs in for his sophomore campaign last year.

He played all 13 games and set team highs for catches (101), receiving touchdowns (8) and yards per game (103) and also took over the punt-returning duties from Newsome, with 16 for just under a 10-yard average. Downs also caught a TD pass in eight consecutive games, one short of the school record held by legendary Charlie Justice. His 203 receiving yards against Virginia was the ninth-highest mark in school history, triggered by 59- and 37-yard touchdown catches in the first quarter of that 59-39 blowout.

He set new UNC seasonal records with 101 receptions (passing Ryan Switzer’s 96) and total yards with 1,335 (bettering Hakeem Nicks’ 1,222). He led the ACC and was fifth nationally in receptions. All that made him a runaway choice for first-team All-ACC honors.

Even though he missed two games this season, his 847 yards through Saturday night’s win at Wake Forest puts him within reach of his own seasonal record, and with 11 touchdowns he is a virtual lock to eclipse the school mark of 12 currently held by Nicks, Brown and Dwight Jones. Downs is also averaging almost 18 yards on six punt returns.

At 5-10, 175 pounds, his size (not his speed) could handicap his NFL Draft status, should he turn pro after this season. He is currently listed as the No. 31 pick on the PFF mock draft board. Jordan Addison of Southern Cal is the same size and listed as the 14th pick. Mack Brown believes Downs will be drafted early if he goes this year. “He is obviously really good,” Brown says, “and he competes. They double-team him, he still gets open and catches the ball.”

The Tar Heels’ climb in the national polls will also help get Downs more recognition as perhaps the best wide receiver to ever put on the argyle and Carolina blue.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Chuck Burton

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